THE FIRST TWO YEARS: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 4

THE FIRST TWO YEARS: PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The interaction of infants’ emotions and their social context is dynamic This interplay is seen in a tiny baby smile at an engaging face or a toddler flop to the floor, kicking and screaming

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN INFANCY Specific Emotions Fully formed fear in response to some person, thing, or situation emerges at about 9 months Stranger Wariness Infant no longer smiles at any friendly faces, and cries if an unfamiliar person moves to close, too quickly Separation Anxiety Expressed in tears, dismay, or anger when a familiar caregiver leaves

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN TODDLERHOOD Self Awareness Emotional growth that has the infant realizing that his or her body, mine, and actions are separate from those of other people Around age 1 an emerging sense of “me” and “mine” Self-recognition emerges at about 18 months Pretending and using first person pronouns I, me, mine, myself, my

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGEEMOTION BirthCrying; contentment 6 weeksSocial smile 3 monthsLaughter; curiosity 4 monthsFull, responsive smiles 4-8 monthsAnger 9-14 monthsFear of social events (strangers, separation from caregiver) 12 monthsFear of unexpected sights and sounds 18 monthsSelf-awareness; pride; shame; embarrassment

THEORIES OF INFANT PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Psychoanalytic Theory Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development Trust v. Mistrust – Infancy Autonomy v. Shame and Doubt – Toddlerhood What is a toddler able to do now that facilitates autonomy?

WHAT CAN A TODDLER DO NOW THAT FACILITATES AUTONOMY? Walk Talk Potty Trained

THEORIES ABOUT INFANT PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Behaviorism Operant Conditioning Emotions and personality are molded by parents Child’s spontaneous behaviors oPositive reinforcement oPunishment Social Learning Learning by observing and imitating others Bobo Doll Experiment Cognitive Theory Thoughts and values determine a person’s perspectives

THEORIES ABOUT INFANT PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Epigenetic Theory Every human characteristic is strongly influenced by each person’s unique genotype… inborn predispositions Temperament Inborn differences between one person and another in emotions, activity, and self-control Temperament is epigenetic, originating in genes but affected by child-rearing practices

TEMPERAMENT New York Longitudinal Study (NYLS) Easy (40%) Difficult (10%) Slow to Warm Up (15%) Hard to Classify (35%)

THE BIG FIVE The five basic clusters of personality traits that remain quite stable throughout life Openness: imaginative, curious, open to new experiences Conscientiousness: hardworking, organized, conforming Extroversion: outgoing, assertive, active Agreeableness: kind, easygoing, helpful Neuroticism: anxious, self-critical, moody

THEORIES ABOUT INFANT PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Sociocultural Theory Cultural Context “…human development occurs in a cultural context.” sociocultural theorists argue culture: has a substantial influence on infants has a major impact on infant-caregiver relationships, thus the development of the infant Cultural values serve to encourage or discourage emotions or temperamental traits

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL BONDS Healthy Human Development Depends on Social Connections Synchrony – a coordinated, rapid, and smooth exchange of responses between caregiver and infant Babies learn How to have a conversation Emotions Synchrony is experience-expectant How to encourage synchrony with baby Parents should imitate baby

SYNCHRONY

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL BONDS Attachment A lasting bond that one person has with another Proximity-Seeking Behavior Contact-Maintaining Behavior The Strange Situation (Ainsworth) Secure Attachment Insecure Attachment

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL BONDS Social Referencing Seeking information about how to react by observing someone else’s expressions and reactions

INFANT DAY CARE High-Quality Day Care Adequate Attention to Each Infant Encouragement of Language and Sensorimotor Development Attention to Health and Safety Well-Trained and Professional Caregivers Low-Turnover Warm and Responsive Caregivers